Multiple Barrel Forced Air Heater

ABSTRACT

A multiple barrel forced-air heater comprising a base, a first heater jacket, and a second heater jacket. The base may comprise a fuel tank adapted to accept a fuel. The first heater jacket may comprise a first device for producing a first air flow, a first Venturi adapted to mix fuel with the first air flow to form a first fuel-air mixture, and a first combustion site adapted to combust the first fuel-air mixture to generate a first amount of heat and a first amount of combustion products. The second heater jacket may comprise a second device for producing a first air flow, a second Venturi adapted to mix fuel with the second air flow to form a second fuel-air mixture, and a second combustion site adapted to combust the second fuel-air mixture to generate a second amount of heat and a second amount of combustion products.

I. CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/385,740, filed on Sep. 23, 2010.

II. BACKGROUND

A. Field of Invention

The present invention relates generally to heaters and, in particular, a new arrangement for a forced-air portable heater.

B. Description of the Related Art

Portable, forced-air, gas or liquid (such as kerosene) heaters are well-known. One type of portable heater for commercial use draws air into the heater and forces the air through or proximate to a flame. As the air passes through or proximate to the flame, it is heated and output into a room or other structure which is intended to be heated. This type of portable heater is referred to as a forced-air and/or direct-fired heater. In a forced-air heater, part of the product of the combustion is output into the room or the structure to be heated.

A forced-air heaters may utilize an elongated substantially cylindrical “barrel” housing. Within the barrel housing may be mounted a means for moving the air and a combustion system.

The means for moving the air may consist of a fan attached to an electric motor. The motor and fan blow air over the combustion system. The combustion system is designed to burn a fuel. Some forced-air heaters comprise a control circuit adapted to mix fuel and air, at some ratio, into an air-fuel mixture. The air-fuel mixture is ignited at the combustion system. Air may be drawn in by a fan at an inlet or first end of a housing, heated as it passes over the combustion system or and mixes with output from the combustion system, and exits through an outlet or second end of the housing. The shape and efficiency of the combustion system may differ greatly among various heaters. Most portable direct-fired heaters run at maximum output and are usually designed to produce constant heat while on.

Typically, portable kerosene heaters may be mounted on a trailer or chassis which also serves, at least in part, as the fuel tank. The fuel tank may be below the fuel distribution, igniter and combustion areas of the heater. Some means may be provided for moving the fuel into the combustion region, as well as atomizing and metering the fuel to the igniter in controlled amounts.

Means for moving fuel may comprise a Venturi system or a pump. Whatever the heat output of the heater system, the heat output rate demands a commensurate amount of fuel input. In some systems, a Venturi system may be insufficient to provide the needed fuel input requirements for very high heat output. Some very high heat output systems, for example systems adapted to provide more than 250,000 BTU, use a pump to supply fuel. It remains desirable to develop a forced air heater adapted to supply very high heat output without requiring a pump.

III. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In contrast with prior portable commercial heaters, the present subject matter comprises a heater having a multiple barrel cylindrical combustion system, side-by-side or on top of one another, that produces more heat output than the output of a single barrel cylindrical heater. Although the present invention is described in connection with a portable heater, it may be utilized by any type of forced-air heater.

Provided is a multiple barrel forced-air heater comprising a base, a first heater jacket, and a second heater jacket. The base may comprise a fuel tank adapted to accept a fuel. The first heater jacket may comprise a first device for producing a first air flow, a first Venturi adapted to mix some of the fuel with the first air flow to form a first fuel-air mixture, and a first combustion site adapted to combust the first fuel-air mixture to generate a first amount of heat and a first amount of combustion products. The second heater jacket may comprise a second device for producing a first air flow, a second Venturi adapted to mix some of the fuel with the second air flow to form a second fuel-air mixture, and a second combustion site adapted to combust the second fuel-air mixture to generate a second amount of heat and a second amount of combustion products.

Further provided is method for producing heat comprising providing a multiple barrel forced-air heater, providing a fuel to the heater, producing a first air flow with the first device for producing a first air flow; using the first Venturi to mix some of the fuel with the first air flow to produce a first fuel-air mixture, combusting the first fuel-air mixture at the first combustion site to generate a first amount of heat, producing a second air flow with the second device for producing a second air flow; using the second Venturi to mix some of the fuel with the second air flow to produce a second fuel-air mixture; and combusting the second fuel-air mixture at the first combustion site to generate a second amount of heat. A multiple barrel forced-air heater may comprise a base, a first heater jacket, and a second heater jacket. The base may comprise a fuel tank adapted to accept a fuel. The first heater jacket may comprise a first device for producing a first air flow, a first Venturi adapted to mix some of the fuel with the first air flow to form a first fuel-air mixture, and a first combustion site adapted to combust the first fuel-air mixture to generate a first amount of heat and a first amount of combustion products. The second heater jacket may comprise a second device for producing a first air flow, a second Venturi adapted to mix some of the fuel with the second air flow to form a second fuel-air mixture, and a second combustion site adapted to combust the second fuel-air mixture to generate a second amount of heat and a second amount of combustion products.

Further provided is a multiple barrel forced-air heater comprising a base, a rest engaged to the base, a first heater jacket engaged to the rest, and a second heater jacket engaged to the rest, a control component, a frame element, and a wheel. The base may comprise a fuel tank adapted to accept a fuel, the fuel may comprise kerosene, oil, white gas, gasoline, alcohol, a hydrocarbon, or a mixture thereof. The first heater jacket may comprise a first combustion chamber lining, a first fan or blower for producing a first air flow, a first Venturi adapted to mix some of the fuel with the first air flow to form a first fuel-air mixture, and a first combustion site adapted to combust the first fuel-air mixture to generate a first amount of heat and a first amount of combustion products. The second heater jacket may comprise a second combustion chamber lining, a second fan or blower for producing a first air flow, a second Venturi adapted to mix some of the fuel with the second air flow to form a second fuel-air mixture, and a second combustion site adapted to combust the second fuel-air mixture to generate a second amount of heat and a second amount of combustion products. The sum of the first amount of heat and the second amount of heat may be greater than 250,000 BTU.

IV. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and form a part of the specification, illustrate the embodiments of the present invention and, together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the invention. The subject matter described herein may take physical form in certain parts and arrangement of parts, a non-limiting embodiment of which will be described in detail in this specification and illustrated in the accompanying drawings which form a part hereof and wherein:

FIG. 1 shows a front perspective view of one embodiment of a multiple barrel heater;

FIG. 2 shows a front view of the heater illustrated in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 shows a rear perspective view of the heater illustrated in FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 shows a rear perspective view of the heater illustrated in FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 shows a rear view of the heater illustrated in FIG. 1;

FIG. 6 shows a side view of the left side of the heater illustrated in FIG. 1;

FIG. 7 shows a side view of the right side of the heater illustrated in FIG. 1;

FIG. 8 a top view of the heater illustrated in FIG. 1; and,

FIG. 9 shows a bottom view of the heater illustrated in FIG. 1.

V. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In describing preferred embodiments of the invention, specific terminology will be selected for the sake of clarity. However, the invention is not intended to be limited to the specific terms so selected, and it is to be understood that each specific term includes all technical equivalents that operate in a similar manner to accomplish a similar purpose. The terms “right,” “left,” “top,” and “bottom” designate relative directions in the drawings to which reference is made. The terms “inner” and “outer” will be used to refer to a general area inside or outside of the heater. The preferred embodiments of the present invention will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings in which a forced-air in accordance with the present invention is generally indicated at 10.

Referring now to FIGS. 1-9 wherein the showings are for purposes of illustrating certain embodiments of the present subject matter only and are not for purposes of limiting the same, a forced-air heater 10 may comprise, a base 30, and heater jackets 12.

The base 30 may comprise structural elements adapted to hold components of the force-air heater 10 in position and orientation with respect to one another, protect the forced-air heater 10 or to aid in movement of the forced-air heater 10. Without limitation, the base 30 may comprise metal, plastic, or combinations thereof. A base 30 may comprise a wheel 24 operationally engaged with the base 30 to permit the force-air heater 10 to be moved by rolling it on said wheel 24, a rest 26 configured to facilitate engagement of the heater jackets 12 with the base 30, a frame element 28, a frame element 29, a frame element 34, or combinations thereof. In certain embodiments, the base 30 may comprise a fuel tank 30 a. In certain embodiments a fuel tank 30 a may be engaged to the base 30. In certain embodiments, as shown in FIGS. 1-12, and without limitation, the base 30 may define a fuel tank 30 a.

In certain embodiments, a base 30 may comprise a frame element 28. In certain embodiments, a frame element 28 may be adapted to function as a handle, a support, or a protective structure. A frame element 28 may be adapted to push or pull or otherwise exert a load on the forced-air heater 10 to move it into a desired position or to lift the heater. In certain embodiments, frame element 28 may be adapted to permit a user to raise one end of the heater forced-air heater 10 and move the heater 10 to a desired position. In certain embodiments, frame element 28 may be attached to a rear portion of base 30 and may extend upward therefrom.

In certain embodiments, a base 30 may comprise a frame element 29. In certain embodiments, a frame element 29 may be adapted to function as a handle, a support, or a protective structure. A frame element 29 may be adapted to push or pull or otherwise exert a load on the forced-air heater 10 to move it into a desired position or to lift the heater. In certain embodiments, frame element 29 may be adapted to permit a user to raise one end of the heater forced-air heater 10 and move the heater 10 to a desired position. In certain embodiments, frame element 29 may be attached to a front portion of base 30 and may extend upward therefrom.

In certain embodiments, a base 30 may comprise a frame element 34. In certain embodiments, a frame element 34 may be adapted to function as a handle, a support, or a protective structure. A frame element 34 may be adapted to push or pull or otherwise exert a load on the forced-air heater 10 to move it into a desired position or to lift the heater. In certain embodiments, frame element 34 may be secured to the lower portion of base 30 to provide support and to aid in leveling or stabilizing the entire heater 10. In certain embodiments, frame element 34 may be attached to a rear portion of base 30 and may extend downward therefrom.

Fuel may be loaded into base 30 via a fueling port 32. A fueling port 32 is an aperture in the housing of the fuel tank providing fluid communication between the environment and the fuel tank interior (not shown). In certain embodiments, a fueling port 32 may be selectively closeable by a cap 34. In certain embodiments, a cap 34 may be threadedly engageable with the fueling port 32. Fuel (not shown) may comprise, without limitation, kerosene, number two heating oil, other oils, white gas, gasoline, ethanol, other alcohols, various hydrocarbons, or mixtures thereof.

A wheel 24 may be rotatably engaged with the forced-air heater 10. Rotatable engagement of a wheel 24 to the forced air heater 10 may be, without limitation, by rotatably mounting a wheel 24 to an axle 24 b. A wheel 24 may be rotatably engaged to an axle 24 b by a bearing (not shown), a bushing (not shown), a nut (not shown), a bolt (not shown), a clip (not shown), or other mechanical fastener (not shown). Rotatable engagement of a wheel 24 to the forced air heater 10 may be, without limitation, by engagement with an axle 24 b rotatably engaged with the forced air heater. An axle 24 b may be rotatably engaged to the forced air heater 10 by a bearing (not shown), a bushing (not shown), a nut (not shown), a bolt (not shown), a clip (not shown), or other mechanical fastener (not shown).

Wheels 24 may comprise steel, plastic, rubber, or some combination thereof. Wheels 24 may comprise a hard rubber adapted to resist deterioration caused by exposure to the weather or accidental contact with chemicals that may be found at construction sites. Wheels 24 may comprise tires 24 a.

In certain embodiments, a forced-air heater 10 may comprise a set of wheels 24 on either side of a sagittal plane of the forced-air heater 10. In certain embodiments, a forced-air heater 10 may comprise a set of two wheels 24 on either side of the sagittal plane of the force-air heater 10 and biased toward the front of the forced-air heater 10. In certain embodiments, the heater 10 can be conveniently moved by lifting handle 28 and rolling the entire heater 10 on wheels 24.

In certain embodiments, wheels 24, frame element 28, and frame element 34 are dimensioned and positioned to assist in moving or wheeling the heater 10 from one place to another. In certain embodiment, and without limitation, the wheels 24, frame element 28, and frame element 34 are designed so that the forced-air heater 10 may be pulled or pushed around by lifting the inlet end 16 to disengage frame element 34 from the ground and rolling forced-air heater 10, like a cart.

In certain embodiments, a forced-air heater 10 may comprise a rest 26. A rest 26 is an element adapted to mechanically engage the heater jacket 12 with the base 30. A rest may comprise a first surface adapted to conform, at least partially, to the heater jacket 12 and a second surface adapted to conform, at least partially, to the base 30. In some embodiments, the rest 26 may be engaged to heater jacket 12 by welds (not shown), screws (not shown), bolts (not shown), clips (not shown), clamps (not shown), or other mechanical fasteners (not shown). In some embodiments, a rest 26 may define a control housing (not shown) adapted to house a control components 26 a, which may comprise a control switch, control dial, or other components adapted for user-selectable control input to the forced-air heater 10.

The heater jackets 12 each comprise an inlet 16, an outlet 18, a top 20 and a bottom 22. In certain embodiments, the forced-air heater 10 comprises multiple elongated, substantially cylindrical (shown octagonal, which are substantially cylindrical) heater jackets 12, which may differ from other heater jackets 12 in size, orientation, material, and functionality or may be substantially identical. Heater jackets 12 may comprise metal, metal alloy, certain ceramics, or a combination thereof. In certain embodiments, the heater jackets 12 may comprise one or more pieces of sheet metal. In certain embodiments, the heater jackets 12 may each be formed from a single piece of steel sheet metal.

Many of the operable interior components of heater jackets 12 are known in the art. For example, within each heater jacket 12 may be a combustion chamber lining, which includes an opening to permit access of the ignitor to the interior of the region surrounded by heater jacket 12. A lining may be affixed to the jacket by means known in the art. A motor may be located within the lining. The motor may be operably engaged with a suitable source of motor power. The source of motor power may be operably engaged with and controlled by control components 26 a. The motor may be rigidly affixed directly or indirectly to the heater jacket 12. The motor may drive a fan, blower, or other device for producing air flow. In operation the device for producing air flow may create an air stream within the forced-air heater 10. The air stream may induct fuel into the forced-air heater 10 by flowing over an Venturi. In some embodiments, at least some of the air in the air stream may mix with fuel to form a fuel-air mixture. The fuel air-mixture may be combusted at a combustion site to generate heat and combustion products. In some embodiments, heat and combustion products and excess air from the air stream flow out of an outlet 18.

In certain embodiments of a multiple barrel forced-air heater two or more barrels each comprise a Venturi adapted to introduce fuel into the barrel for combustion therein. In certain embodiments of a multiple barrel forced-air heater two or more barrels each comprise a device for producing air flow adapted to induct fuel into the forced-air heater 10 by flowing over an Venturi. In certain embodiments, the two or more barrels may collectively produce a heat output greater than that possible by conventional heaters using a Venturi system to provide fuel input requirements. In certain embodiments, the two or more barrels may collectively produce a heat output greater than 250,000 BTU.

In certain embodiments, it may be possible to operate all of the barrels of a multiple barrel heater or some sub-set of the barrels of a multiple barrel heater. In certain embodiments, selection of the number of barrels operating simultaneously may be used to control the rate of heat production.

The forced-air heater 10 may comprise a liner (not shown), inside the heater jacket 12. In certain embodiments, a liner may be immediately inside the heater jacket 12. In certain embodiments, a liner may be substantially cylindrical in shape. In certain embodiments, a liner may be an insulator.

In certain embodiments, the forced-air heater 10 may comprise an insulative liner, insulative material, air gap, or other thermal insulation. In certain embodiments the kind or amount of thermal insulation may vary with position around a barrel of a forced-air heater 10. In certain embodiments, the forced-air heater 10 may comprise a kind or amount of thermal insulation which provides greater or lesser thermal insulation on the side of a barrel proximate to another barrel.

In certain embodiments there is a spaced-apart relationship between the heater jackets 12 and the liner 14 that forms an air gap between the heater jackets 12 and the liner 14 which insulates the housing from the heat-generating and heat-conducting parts of the heater 10. The air gap or other insulation may keep the heater jacket 12 cooler than it would be otherwise. The spaced-apart relation may be achieved by bolting the liner 14 to the inside of the heater jackets 12 and using a plurality of spacers (not shown) at specific points to maintain the spaced-apart relationship. In certain embodiments, the heater jackets 12 and the liner 14 are substantially concentrically located along a mutual longitudinal axis.

In certain embodiments, part of the air stream may be directed to flow along desired pathways within the forced-air heater 10. In certain embodiments, control vane or other air flow modifying components may be placed within the forced-air heater to produce a desired amount or air or speed of air flow at particular points within the forced-air heater 10. In certain embodiments, forced-air heater 10 may have air flow modifying components that produce an air flow that provides more air or faster air flow in locations proximate to another heater barrel. In certain embodiments, forced-air heater 10 may comprise a grill 105 fastened to the inlet 16 of the forced-air heater 10. A grill 105 may prevents large articles from entering and damaging the interior of the forced-air heater 10.

Various embodiments have been described, hereinabove. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the above methods and apparatuses may incorporate changes and modifications without departing from the general scope of the present subject matter. It is intended to include all such modifications and alterations in so far as they come within the scope of the appended claims or the equivalents thereof. 

1. A multiple barrel forced-air heater comprising: a base comprising a fuel tank adapted to accept a fuel; a first heater jacket comprising, a first device for producing a first air flow, a first Venturi adapted to mix some of the fuel with the first air flow to form a first fuel-air mixture, and a first combustion site adapted to combust the first fuel-air mixture to generate a first amount of heat and a first amount of combustion products; and a second heater jacket comprising, a second device for producing a first air flow, a second Venturi adapted to mix some of the fuel with the second air flow to form a second fuel-air mixture, and a second combustion site adapted to combust the second fuel-air mixture to generate a second amount of heat and a second amount of combustion products.
 2. The multiple barrel forced-air heater according to claim 1, wherein the fuel is kerosene, oil, white gas, gasoline, alcohol, a hydrocarbon, or a mixture thereof.
 3. The multiple barrel forced-air heater according to claim 2, wherein said first device for producing a first air flow is a fan or blower.
 4. The multiple barrel forced-air heater according to claim 3, wherein said second device for producing a second air flow is a fan or blower.
 5. The multiple barrel forced-air heater according to claim 4, wherein the sum of the first amount of heat and the second amount of heat is greater than 250,000 BTU.
 6. The multiple barrel forced-air heater according to claim 5, wherein said first heater jacket further comprises a first combustion chamber lining or said second heater jacket further comprises a second combustion chamber lining.
 7. The multiple barrel forced-air heater according to claim 6, further comprising a control component.
 8. The multiple barrel forced-air heater according to claim 7, further comprising a rest engaged to the base, wherein said first heater jacket and said second heater jacket are engaged to the rest.
 9. The multiple barrel forced-air heater according to claim 7, further comprising an electric motor operationally engaged with either said first device for producing a first air flow or said second device for producing a second air flow.
 10. The multiple barrel forced-air heater according to claim 7, further comprising a wheel.
 11. A method for producing heat comprising: providing a multiple barrel forced-air heater comprising: a base comprising a fuel tank adapted to accept a fuel, a first heater jacket comprising, a first device for producing a first air flow, a first Venturi adapted to mix some of the fuel with the first air flow to form a first fuel-air mixture, and a first combustion site adapted to combust the first fuel-air mixture to generate a first amount of heat and a first amount of combustion products, and a second heater jacket comprising, a second device for producing a first air flow, and a second Venturi adapted to mix some of the fuel with the second air flow to form a second fuel-air mixture, and a second combustion site adapted to combust the second fuel-air mixture to generate a second amount of heat and a second amount of combustion products; providing a fuel to said heater; producing a first air flow with said first device for producing a first air flow; using the first Venturi to mix some of the fuel with the first air flow to produce a first fuel-air mixture; combusting the first fuel-air mixture at the first combustion site to generate a first amount of heat; producing a second air flow with said second device for producing a second air flow; using the second Venturi to mix some of the fuel with the second air flow to produce a second fuel-air mixture; and combusting the second fuel-air mixture at the first combustion site to generate a second amount of heat.
 12. The method for producing heat according to claim 11, wherein the fuel is kerosene, oil, white gas, gasoline, alcohol, a hydrocarbon, or a mixture thereof.
 13. The method for producing heat according to claim 12, wherein said first device for producing a first air flow is a fan or blower.
 14. The method for producing heat according to claim 13, wherein said second device for producing a second air flow is a fan or blower.
 15. The method for producing heat according to claim 14, wherein the sum of the first amount of heat and the second amount of heat is greater than 250,000 BTU.
 16. The method for producing heat according to claim 15, wherein said first heater jacket further comprises a first combustion chamber lining or said second heater jacket further comprises a second combustion chamber lining.
 17. The method for producing heat according to claim 16, wherein said multiple barrel forced-air heater further comprises a wheel.
 18. The method for producing heat according to claim 17, further comprising transporting said multiple barrel forced-air heater by rolling it on said wheel.
 19. The multiple barrel forced-air heater according to claim 7, wherein said multiple barrel forced-air heater further comprises an electric motor operationally engaged with either said first device for producing a first air flow or said second device for producing a second air flow.
 20. A multiple barrel forced-air heater comprising: a base comprising a fuel tank adapted to accept a fuel, said fuel comprising kerosene, oil, white gas, gasoline, alcohol, a hydrocarbon, or a mixture thereof; a rest engaged to the base; a first heater jacket engaged to the rest, said first heater jacket comprising, a first combustion chamber lining, a first fan or blower for producing a first air flow, a first Venturi adapted to mix some of the fuel with the first air flow to form a first fuel-air mixture, and a first combustion site adapted to combust the first fuel-air mixture to generate a first amount of heat and a first amount of combustion products; a second heater jacket engaged to the rest, said second heater jacket comprising, a second combustion chamber lining a second fan or blower for producing a first air flow, a second Venturi adapted to mix some of the fuel with the second air flow to form a second fuel-air mixture, and a second combustion site adapted to combust the second fuel-air mixture to generate a second amount of heat and a second amount of combustion products; a control component; a frame element; a wheel; and wherein the sum of the first amount of heat and the second amount of heat is greater than 250,000 BTU. 